The YWCA Metro Vancouver in partnership with YWCA Toronto have launched the Health Connect program to support newcomers and refugees self-identified as women who are internationally educated health professionals (IEHP) in British Columbia (BC) and Ontario (ON). The program will work to improve awareness among women IEHPs of the foreign credential process, provide tailored employment and wrap-around services, reduce barriers to foreign credential recognition and provide Canadian work experience in their intended field of work. The Career Advisor will complete individual needs assessments and develop the IEHPs action plan to determine financial wrap around support and skill gap training as required as well as subsequent referrals to reduce labor integration barriers. The Career Advisor will also provide employment support such as counselling and Foreign Credential Resource system navigation to all IEHPs. The Career Advisor will work under the general supervision of the Health Connect Manager. The Career Advisor will work in a hybrid environment; in person required at the assigned locations, and will work virtually and collaboratively with the YWCA Toronto team. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Deliver information sessions, disseminate information on the foreign credential recognition processes in Canada and recruit potential applicants 

• Hold group orientation sessions with participants and employers 

• Pre-screen potential participants based on experience, eligibility criteria including having a degree/diploma in the healthcare and healthcare support fields as we as assess the professional commitment of participants 

• Complete individual needs assessments and develop the IEHP’s action plan to determine financial wrap around support and skill gap training required and identify barriers to their employment 

• Provide employment support such as counselling and foreign credential recognition navigation  

• Provide individualized financial wrap-around supports 

• Assist participants with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, job search strategies, professional networking and labour market information 

• Facilitate access to resources (e.g. such as language courses or other skills training), mentorship programs 

• Track progress of participants, maintain participant records, provide post-job placement support, and adjust career plans as necessary 

• Provide ongoing counselling services and localized employment supports such as unpaid work experience, for participants who did not achieve suitable employment 

• Follow-up post-employment to ensure successful integration into the health workforce 

• Conduct pre-program and post-program surveys 

• Work closely with job developer in areas including but not limited to employer partnerships, employer engagement focus groups, employer engagement training sessions, skills gap training, networking events and mentoring programs 

• Work collaboratively within the community and YWCA to create resource partnerships for referrals and client recruitment 

• Facilitate workshops and develop workshop materials 

• Other duties as required 

What you’ll need: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Career advising and/or counselling experience and/or working with visible minority communities 

• Relevant post-secondary degree or diploma or a combination of relevant education and experience  

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

• Ability to foster strong working relationships with internal staff, various partners and stakeholders to ensure cooperation and effective information flow between programs/departments 

• Keen understanding of issues and barriers faced by women and newcomers to Canada 

• Understanding of community resources and wrap-around supports available to program participants 

• Excellent computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), SharePoint, OneDrive, LMS Knowledge 

• Ability to coordinate and deliver meetings on Zoom video conferencing platform 

• Strong Admin skills, record keeping, analytics and reporting 

• Must be reliable, well-organized, detail-oriented, excellent follow-through skills 

• Self-starter: the ability to take initiative, and maintain effective and professional work habits (i.e. prioritize, plan and manage work; punctuality) to produce timely and effective results 

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

• Must be able to work in person during office hours at the YWCA program location 

• Able to work after hours and or weekends as required 

• Able to commute between sites 

• A second language will be considered an asset 

• A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.  

• The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination from COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties. 

Bonus qualities (but not required) 

• Healthcare experience and/or healthcare connections will be considered an asset 

• CCDP certification will be considered an asset 

What we offer:  We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package: 

• Extended medical and dental benefits  

• A defined benefit pension plan 

• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions 

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members 

• Free membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres 

• Pay Rate: $30.55 

• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.